Word on the Street: Hanna City Work Camp site may work for taxpayers again

A longtime Peoria County eyesore could soon be up for sale if the Illinois Legislature follows through.

If you've driven along Illinois Route 116 on your way to Hanna City or to Farmington, you've likely glanced out your window at the dilapidated collection of structures gradually being reclaimed by nature and, like us a week ago on the way to breakfast, tutted over the ugliness.

For years, that's been the gradually declining condition of the former Hanna City Work Camp, which has sat vacant and unused.

About a decade ago the state-owned facility was turned over to the county through legislation, though in the intervening years the local government hasn't found anything to do with it, despite a lot of brainstorming.

The catch, at least in part, has been the terms under which the state gave it to the county. It must be used for a governmental purpose, not a private one.

Since your shorter columnist came onto the beat, Peoria County has been seeking permission from the state to also be able to sell the property, opening it up for private use. Each time that effort has fallen short and the legislation has often ended up buried.

Until now, that is.

Last week, state Rep. Mike Unes managed to advance his bill allowing such a sale out of the Executive Committee unanimously — a panel where nothing moves forward without the support of top Democratic leaders.

"Persistence pays off, and a refusal to give up never hurts," the East Peoria Republican says of addressing the issue at the northern edge of his district.

Unes admits to pestering committee members with photos of the site, asking how they'd like to drive by it — or have it across the street — every day.

"The neighbors have a lot of pride in their property that they take care of, and they have to deal with that every day," he says.

But Unes also engaged in some more direct negotiations. One of the stumbling blocks from opponents has been the question of why the property shouldn't just be handed back to the state to sell. Unes says he involved the state's Central Management Services agency that would have to deal with the property.

"They said, 'We don't want that!'" he says with a laugh.

And, yes, he also compromised a little — like any good legislator should.

He also filed an amendment, guaranteeing that 10 percent of any sale price would go into state coffers rather than to the county.

Unes notes that the biggest benefit to the region is over the long term. Once it's not in government hands, the parcel is back on the tax rolls. "If it does, it helps out all the taxing bodies in the area," he says.

This is just one step, getting out of committee. We'll reserve our jubilation until it passes the full House and the Senate, and given recent history that's not a sure thing. But this is a solid beginning, and better progress on an issue that has long bedeviled that rural area. (C.K.)

A more reflective board

Peoria at-large City Councilwoman Beth Akeson wanted more diversity among the members of the municipal Tourism Reserve Fund board.

Barring anything unforeseen Tuesday night, she and the tourism board will be getting it.

The board is to receive three new members, pending approval during the council meeting this week. The appointments first were offered last December, but Akeson requested a deferral because the three candidates were white and male, like the other board members.

One of those white males, at-large Councilman Denis Cyr, still is in line to be appointed. But instead of colleague Zach Oyler and state Rep. Ryan Spain, the other two candidates are 1st District Councilwoman Denise Moore and local educator Marwin Spiller.

Last year, Spiller became Illinois Central College’s visiting dean of social and emotional learning for Peoria Public Schools. He had been dean of social science and public services at ICC.

The board upon which he and Moore, both African-Americans, are to serve grants municipal money for tourism-related events in Peoria.

Although the board isn’t exactly a high-profile one, these appointments are good, and not just because of Moore’s and Spiller’s skin tone.

They better reflect Peoria’s population. Perhaps they also might help expand the portfolio of tourism events the city considers.

We wrote in December that Akeson seemed an odd source for such a diversity plea, considering her somewhat-checkered past regarding minority issues. The racially charged social-media statements she made in mid-2016 are evidence.

But the imperfections of the messenger don’t invalidate the message.

Good on Akeson, and good luck to Moore and Spiller. (N.V.)

Fix those fines

Those whose Tazewell County Circuit Court fines are overdue will have a chance to save some money this week.

The circuit clerk’s office is waiving collection fees this week for anybody who pays in full a delinquent balance. Outstanding balances have been subject to as much as a 30-percent collection-fee surcharge.

Circuit Clerk Linc Hobson said the Tazewell plan is patterned after one Peoria County implemented a few years ago. It’s the first time Hobson’s office has attempted it.

Payments will be accepted in person from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday through Friday at the circuit clerk’s office, located in the Tazewell County Courthouse in downtown Pekin. Accounts also can be paid by mail — send them to the courthouse at 342 Court St., 61554 — if they’re postmarked by Friday.

Overdue-fine payments also are being accepted online, at www.judici.com, but there’s a catch. Users have to call the circuit clerk’s office, 478-5699, before they make an online payment. (N.V.)

Enough already

Primary election season is drawing to a close, thankfully. It started incredibly early, with candidates taking to the airwaves last year even before the filing deadline.

As we count down the remaining nine days until the races are mercifully narrowed, we'd like to hear from you about what your most-hated campaign commercial of the season has been? Tell us why, too. Was it inaccurate? Syrupy enough to send you into a diabetic coma? Simply poorly crafted enough to set your teeth on edge?

Chris Kaergard (C.K.) covers politics and government. He can be reached at ckaergard@pjstar.com or 686-3255. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisKaergard. Nick Vlahos (N.V.) writes "Nick in the Morning." He can be reached at nvlahos@pjstar.com or 686-3285. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.

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